SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP)-- Celia Cruz,
Laura Pausini,
Carlos Ponce, Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Jon Secada, and Thal�a will take part in a celebrity-studded tribute on
September 10 honoring
Julio Iglesias as the 2001 Latin Recording Academy (LARAS) Person Of The Year. The black-tie gala will also be attended by key members of the cultural community and entertainment and music industries. A portion of the proceeds from the Person Of The Year tribute will benefit LARAS' educational outreach and human service programs.
"This tribute to Julio is long overdue, and the caliber of the talent lining up to salute him is impressive," said Michael Greene, President/CEO of the Recording Academy� and Latin Recording Academy. "One of the Latin Academy's most anticipated fund-raising events of the year, the Person Of The Year tribute will be attended by the biggest names in the cultural and music community, all paying homage to this truly inspirational man."
The gala tribute will coincide with the Latin GRAMMY� Nominee Celebration honoring all nominees for the 2nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. Artists expected to attend the Nominee Celebration include A.B. Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Kings, Christina Aguilera, Albita, Vicente Amigo, Aterciopelados, Bacilos, Banda El Recodo, Pedro Fern�ndez, Bebel Gilberto, Gilberto Gil, Grupo Atrapado, Grupo Mania, Juanes, La Mafia, Los Amigos Invisibles, Los Palominos, Los Super Seven, Los Tigres Del Norte, Luis Miguel, Fito Paez, Eddie Palmieri, Rabanes, Paulina Rubio, Kike Santander, Sindicato Argentino Del Hip Hop, Manuel Vargas, Antonio Vega, Caetano Veloso and many others.
In addition to the LARAS Person Of The Year tribute and the Nominee Reception, a silent auction also will be held. The exclusive auction will feature collectibles including music and sports memorabilia, artwork and other luxury items; proceeds benefit MusiCares�, the Recording Academy's charitable foundation.
The LARAS Person Of The Year tribute is one of the most prestigious events held during Latin GRAMMY week, which precedes the 2nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards. The Latin GRAMMYs will be broadcast from the Forum in Los Angeles on September 11 by CBS (9-11 p.m. EDT/PDT) and broadcast on radio via Westwood One/the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation worldwide.
Co-chairs of the event include Gustavo Cisneros, Chairman/CEO of Cisneros Group of Companies; Thomas Mottola, Chairman/CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.; and David Foster, 14-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer, arranger and songwriter.
The LARAS Person Of The Year tribute/Latin GRAMMY Nominee Celebration is sponsored by: Nokia, Delta Airlines, Heineken, Dr Pepper, Hilton Hotels Corp., and SGAE, the Spain-based association of music publishers and songwriters.